Renowned Montalcino producer Jacopo Biondi Santi has resigned following a disagreement with his father-in-law.
decanter.com understands that Pierluigi Tagliabue, who is a major shareholder responsible for financing a large part of the company, wanted to market what Biondi Santi considered inferior wine under the Biondi Santi name.
At the same time, reports mentioning the possible sale of the company, Biondi Santi Spa, were firmly denied by Biondi Santi.
He plans to retire to his castle estate, Castello di Montepò in Maremma, and work as an international wine consultant, as well as managing Montepò and another family estate, Il Greppo.
Montepò is a medieval fort with 500ha of land and 60ha of vineyards. Its wines include a Supertuscan, Schidione, and Morellino di Scansano. Il Greppo was the estate where in the 19th century his great grandfather cloned and registered the first Sangiovese for Brunello.
Biondi Santi said he was stepping down from his role as MD but there would be no other changes. ‘There is no question of our selling the holding. Business will continue as usual.’
Biondi Santi said there would also be no change at the Montepò and Il Greppo estates, which would ‘continue to run under my supervision alone’.
‘I may also enter into joint ventures with other Italian and international wineries if the opportunity arises in the near future.’
Written by Michele Shah, and Adam Lechmere
